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Addicted: Notes from the Belly of the Beast
Is addiction a disease, a sin, a sign of hypersensitivity, a personal failing, or a unique resource for the creative mind? However it is defined, addiction can have devastating consequences, often shattering lives, sundering families, causing impoverishment, and even triggering suicide. Yet it can also be a source of inspiration. In these frank essays, leading American and Canadian writers explore their surprisingly diverse personal experiences with this complex phenomenon, candidly recounting what happened when alcohol, heroin, smoking, food, gambling, or sex — sometimes in combination — took over their lives.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
17 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Crozier
56 books85 followersLorna Crozier was born in 1948 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. As a child growing up in a prairie community where the local heroes were hockey players and curlers, she “never once thought of being a writer.” After university, Lorna went on to teach high school English and work as a guidance counsellor. During these years, Lorna published her first poem in Grain magazine, a publication that turned her life toward writing. Her first collection Inside in the Sky was published in 1976. Since then, she has authored 14 books of poetry, including The Garden Going on Without Us, Angels of Flesh, Angels of Silence, Inventing the Hawk, winner of the 1992 Governor-General’s Award, Everything Arrives at the Light, Apocrypha of Light, What the Living Won’t Let Go, and most recently Whetstone. Whether Lorna is writing about angels, aging, or Louis Armstrong’s trout sandwich, she continues to engage readers and writers across Canada and the world with her grace, wisdom and wit. She is, as Margaret Laurence wrote, “a poet to be grateful for.”
Since the beginning of her writing career, Lorna has been known for her inspired teaching and mentoring of other poets. In 1980 Lorna was the writer-in-residence at the Cypress Hills Community College in Swift Current; in 1983, at the Regina Public Library; and in 1989 at the University of Toronto. She has held short-term residencies at the Universities of Toronto and Lethbridge and at Douglas College. Presently she lives near Victoria, where she teaches and serves as Chair in the Writing Department at the University.
Beyond making poems, Lorna has also edited two non-fiction collections – Desire in Seven Voices and Addiction: Notes from the Belly of the Beast. Together with her husband and fellow poet Patrick Lane, she edited the 1994 landmark collection Breathing Fire: Canada’s New Poets; in 2004, they co-edited Breathing Fire 2, once again introducing over thirty new writers to the Canadian literary world.
Her poems continue to be widely anthologized, appearing in 15 Canadian Poets X 3, 20th Century Poetry and Poetics, Poetry International and most recently in Open Field: An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Poets, a collection designed for American readers.
Her reputation as a generous and inspiring artist extends from her passion for the craft of poetry to her teaching and through to her involvement in various social causes. In addition to leading poetry workshops across the globe, Lorna has given benefit readings for numerous organizations such as the SPCA, the BC Land Conservancy, the Victoria READ Society, and PEERS, a group committed to helping prostitutes get off the street. She has been a frequent guest on CBC radio where she once worked as a reviewer and arts show host. Wherever she reads she raises the profile and reputation of poetry.
Since the beginning of her writing career, Lorna has been known for her inspired teaching and mentoring of other poets. In 1980 Lorna was the writer-in-residence at the Cypress Hills Community College in Swift Current; in 1983, at the Regina Public Library; and in 1989 at the University of Toronto. She has held short-term residencies at the Universities of Toronto and Lethbridge and at Douglas College. Presently she lives near Victoria, where she teaches and serves as Chair in the Writing Department at the University.
Beyond making poems, Lorna has also edited two non-fiction collections – Desire in Seven Voices and Addiction: Notes from the Belly of the Beast. Together with her husband and fellow poet Patrick Lane, she edited the 1994 landmark collection Breathing Fire: Canada’s New Poets; in 2004, they co-edited Breathing Fire 2, once again introducing over thirty new writers to the Canadian literary world.
Her poems continue to be widely anthologized, appearing in 15 Canadian Poets X 3, 20th Century Poetry and Poetics, Poetry International and most recently in Open Field: An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Poets, a collection designed for American readers.
Her reputation as a generous and inspiring artist extends from her passion for the craft of poetry to her teaching and through to her involvement in various social causes. In addition to leading poetry workshops across the globe, Lorna has given benefit readings for numerous organizations such as the SPCA, the BC Land Conservancy, the Victoria READ Society, and PEERS, a group committed to helping prostitutes get off the street. She has been a frequent guest on CBC radio where she once worked as a reviewer and arts show host. Wherever she reads she raises the profile and reputation of poetry.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 20, 2016
Reading this book was addictive. Some of the stories were really deep and descriptive about the desperate moment of truth, when one could actually admit that they had a problem. When a person sees the writing on the wall, so to speak, about whether or not they would beat this thing or if they would live to see another day? How is sneaks up on you, your upbringing, your family, your culture, as a norm. It is not glamourized but portrayed as the tragedy it is. Yet, there was hope shining through some of the worst looking outcomes.
June 16, 2019
It would be good to read again this book that I found to be a significant collection.
It must be a dozen years ago, and it would be interesting to compare the situation now
It must be a dozen years ago, and it would be interesting to compare the situation now
August 28, 2013
kind of like the book version of the show "intervention" on bravo but with actual literary gravitas.
November 25, 2016
stephan reid's story will stay with me forever.
March 29, 2013
Such a wonderful book for anyone who has been affected by addiction.
February 10, 2019
Excellent writers, each and every one of them. Haunting stories and a powerful read. Stephen Reid’s
story Junkie, is heartbreaking.
A few quotes:
“Paul unzipped my childhood, but it’s never been as singular or uncomplicated as blame.”
“Come this way, it will be different this time. Just this once, what you seek will be here.” Ad, from the Latin “toward” or “yes”, and dict, from the Latin “yes”. Addicts just say yes.
“I had been caught, of course. I listened meekly to mu mother’s reproof- God know that poor dear woman had enough knowledge of drunks to last an eternity”
story Junkie, is heartbreaking.
A few quotes:
“Paul unzipped my childhood, but it’s never been as singular or uncomplicated as blame.”
“Come this way, it will be different this time. Just this once, what you seek will be here.” Ad, from the Latin “toward” or “yes”, and dict, from the Latin “yes”. Addicts just say yes.
“I had been caught, of course. I listened meekly to mu mother’s reproof- God know that poor dear woman had enough knowledge of drunks to last an eternity”
March 27, 2020
Like most anthologies, some entries were way better or easier to connect with than others. I didn’t particularly enjoy this book but it did seem to distinguish between the intellectual and emotional aspects of addictions and that was definitely a plus since most people who don’t experience addiction only see it intellectually.
October 21, 2019
Oh this is such a great collection of lives.
Thank you each one that contributed to this book.
An idea..I am going to read one book from each of these authors..all ten..and read them before this year ends!!
Thank you all for giving us your inner stories.
Thank you each one that contributed to this book.
An idea..I am going to read one book from each of these authors..all ten..and read them before this year ends!!
Thank you all for giving us your inner stories.
February 15, 2021
So many different stories of addiction, and I am so glad they were all told.
January 1, 2022
A collection of essays written by various people describing their addictions: alcohol, heroin, cigarettes, food. Pretty interesting.
May 3, 2023
Wowee
June 8, 2011
Sometimes hard to read, but always fascinating. Notes from the Belly of the Beast indeed.... I felt like I was rifling through underwear drawers, and snooping through secret stashes.
Some of the stories resonated deeper with me than others, but all were, at times entertaining, emotional, devastating and unabashedly naked in their telling. Whether you are an addict, know and addict, or grew up with one in your home, there is something here to interest, and maybe even surprise you.
Even though I thought I knew a lot about addiction, this book showed me that I knew nothing.
Some of the stories resonated deeper with me than others, but all were, at times entertaining, emotional, devastating and unabashedly naked in their telling. Whether you are an addict, know and addict, or grew up with one in your home, there is something here to interest, and maybe even surprise you.
Even though I thought I knew a lot about addiction, this book showed me that I knew nothing.
November 10, 2015
I just borrowed this book from my sister who is reading it for her university courses. I skipped some stories but read most of them. It was an interesting read and the stories gave an insight to what it's like to be, or know, and addict. 3.5/5 stars because some of the writers were a bit boring.
November 30, 2022
Very insightful read to see addiction from the eyes of those who have inflicted and battled through. It made me think about people in my life that battled addictions, people who were hurt by addictions, and personally were touched by some of these creatively written short stories.
January 31, 2008
Some absolutely wrenching stories, heroic stories and so very inspiring. I continue to read this book on a regular basis (my life is sooooo exciting).
September 20, 2012
Liked it.
March 5, 2013
A good place to touch base with your own addiction, if you have one. Some truly marvelous writing.
September 2, 2025
Stories from
David Richard Adams - alcohol
Evelyn Lau - drugs
Lorna Crozier - alcohol
Patrick Lane - alcohol
Peter Gzowski - smoking
and others
David Richard Adams - alcohol
Evelyn Lau - drugs
Lorna Crozier - alcohol
Patrick Lane - alcohol
Peter Gzowski - smoking
and others
July 16, 2017
Quick, short stories that seem written well and provide some insight. A classic 4/5.
April 15, 2017
Honest, sometimes painfully so
If you have struggled with addiction, you can relate to these stories. If you care about someone who does or has struggled with addiction, this will help you to understand how they think.
If you have struggled with addiction, you can relate to these stories. If you care about someone who does or has struggled with addiction, this will help you to understand how they think.
Read
June 17, 2017Oh my, this book is depressing. I hope it serves as a galvanizing call to action for someone out there. Yet fighting addiction is just something most people will have to devote the rest of their lives towards.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews